Information Brokers: Federal and State Laws (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
May 17, 2005 |
| Report Number |
RS22087 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Angie A. Welborn, American Law Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
Media reports concerning the theft of a number of files from major informationbrokers (also known as data brokers or data merchants), such as ChoicePoint, havebrought consumer information privacy to the forefront of the congressional agenda.While there are currently no federal laws specifically related to the informationgathering and brokerage industry, there are federal laws that could be applicabledepending on the type of information in question and the character of the organizationcollecting and disseminating the information. This report discusses the federal and statelaws that could be applicable to information brokers and legislation that has beenintroduced to address consumer concerns about the practice of information gathering,the selling of consumer information, and identity theft resulting from security breaches(S. 115, S. 500, S. 751, S. 768, H.R. 1080).
